Dalton Smith defended his WBC light-welterweight world title with a split-decision victory over Alberto Puello in a triumphant homecoming in Sheffield, extending his unbeaten professional record to 20 wins.
Dalton Smith (Credits: BBC Sport)
The 29-year-old Sheffield fighter edged a high-class tactical contest at the Utilita Arena, where both men displayed sharp counter-punching skills and neither was willing to overcommit early. The result hung in the balance as the scorecards were read out — victory for either man, or even a draw, had seemed possible.
In the end, two judges scored it 115-113 in Smith’s favour, while the third awarded it 116-112 to the Dominican challenger. It was Smith’s first title defence since his stunning fifth-round knockout of Subriel Matias in Brooklyn in January.
Dalton Smith vs Puello: a tactical Sheffield classic
Smith, who had beaten the fearsome puncher Matias by standing and trading, faced a very different puzzle in Puello. The 32-year-old former two-time world champion is a slick southpaw who relies on movement and counter-punching, and he made Smith work for every round.
The champion dictated the pace early, landing a right in the fourth, before Puello found his range with his left. The challenger — whose only previous career defeat had come against Matias last year — came alive in the sixth with a series of straight lefts, and briefly slipped to the canvas to raise home hopes of a knockdown.
The atmosphere resembled a football terrace, with a drummer and trumpeter accompanying fans singing Sheffield Wednesday songs. Smith, wearing the blue and white of his beloved Wednesday, had walked to the ring to AC/DC’s Thunderstruck. A superb double jab and right hook in the ninth was answered by an uppercut and hook to the body from Puello, showcasing the quality of both men.
Cut below his right eye, Smith traded blows through the championship rounds, perhaps edging the exchanges through his higher work-rate. He played to the crowd in the final 20 seconds before leaping into his father and trainer Grant’s arms at the final bell.
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“We knew it wasn’t going to be a show, he was going to be an awkward opponent, but a champion has to do what he has to do,” Smith said afterwards. “These are the best in the world and I’m proving why I’m number one now.”
With his mandatory challenger out of the way, Smith keeps his dream of headlining Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough Stadium alive — and he has his sights on the division’s biggest names, including unbeaten American Shakur Stevenson. “I have a lot of respect for Shakur — he’s one hell of a fighter,” Smith said. “But this takes me back to the Ricky Hatton and Mayweather days. We can build something good.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn added: “Dalton Smith is a legacy guy. First and foremost this guy is a real fighter, who wants belts, legacy, and to make his city proud.” Sheffield, home to world champions including Prince Naseem Hamed, Johnny Nelson and Kell Brook, gave its latest champion a hero’s welcome — and Smith’s breakthrough year has now established him among the leading fighters at light-welterweight.
Also Read: Smith v Puello Predictions: Experts Back Dalton Smith to Retain WBC Title in Sheffield
Source: BBC Sport — read the full story there.
